ANTI-TUMOR ACTIVITY FROM REPTILE SERUM

摘要

The invention discloses anti-tumor activity in the sera of certain reptiles, more particularly in the serum of alligators or crocodiles. The active principle resides in one or more serum proteins or polypeptides that inhibit the growth of mammalian tumor cells in culture while being practically devoi d of such inhibitory activity towards normal cells in culture. The active fractions obtained from the sera show no overt toxicity in healthy mammals, and this novel anti-tumor agent may therefore be used for the prevention, investigation, treatment or diagnosis of neoplasms.